Things I Want to Know About My Staff 1 (of 4)
How are you doing spiritually?
As a young pastor, I don’t remember many people taking an interest in my personal spiritual life. My pastor was phenomenal at teaching us the Bible (and for that I’m forever grateful). But most of my early mentors didn’t help me develop my own disciplines for spiritual growth.
When I meet with staff members, I want to know how they’re doing spiritually.
In ministry, it’s way too easy to substitute ministry for our time with God. Doing ministry without spending time with God is like trying to drive a car without refilling the tank. Eventually, it just won’t work anymore.
Bill Hybels once said,
“The way I was doing the work of God was destroying the work of God in me.”
I don’t want that to happen to those who serve with me.
So… how are you doing spiritually?
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Craig,
i’m growing through adversity as you know. I’ve learned from Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego when they said they would serve God whether He delivered them or not. God has been faithful & I’m learning to live that passage in Daniel 3.
I am in a season where my spiritual tank is definitely more than “Half-Full!� :-)
“Doing ministry without spending time with God is like trying to drive a car without refilling the tank.” This statement is so true! One of the things that I encourage me and my team to do is to realize that we pass by many different gas stations every day. We must spend time with God, recognize those daily “God Moments,” understand the octane that makes us operate most effectively and realize that we not only have the opportunity, but the responsibility to fill-up.
I spent the last 4 years in the Youth Ministry and finally my wife and I reached our limits. Since we had taken on the Youth Ministry, we were married, bought a house, and had 2 children across those 4 years. Nobody was investing in us or asking us how we were doing. We did our best to challenge each other and sought out assistance from outside resources, but basically road a very harsh spiritual roller coaster. Our family responsibilities started to be affected and we decided it was time to move on from that ministry. We have gone back to our previous church (Vineyard Community Church Cincinnati) where we had before experienced great growth and challenge. We are excited to see our kids learning and growing there with us again. I feel that it is extremely important for each person in ministry to have someone else within the ministry investing in you and holding you accountable to your own responsibilities as a Christ follower. We went through something very hard leaving that church, but we are exactly where God wants us to be right now. You never realize how far you can get away from him when ministry becomes your passion in place of Jesus.
That is definitely a question that should be posed to everyone in ministry. It is so important for pastors to have someone in their lives who they trust, who love them for who they are not just as “pastor,” and who can ask them the tough questions.
How am I doing spiritually? Not great.
Ican’t say that i’m not doing spiritually as i have realized that i don’t have to have religion to be holy. I can’t say i’m holy because i know i am not. Do i really ought to have religion in my life? Definitely, i coukd say “no, i don’t” because i’ve seen all those people who goes to church everyday and yet they are not getting what they are asking for, although, they work so hard they are not satisfied with what they have. Anyway, i was a Roman Catholic.
Praying for a continued hunger…
Learning to abide…
and attempting to get my heart to believe all the stuff my head knows…interesting how disconnected they can be sometimes.
I’m always hungry and thirsty for more…more…MORE! :) I’m constantly pressing forward, not looking back or focusing on my past sin, but moving from glory to glory. I give Him all that I am and especially all that I am NOT. I struggle with knowing EXACT verse locations and memorization of the Word even though I may know the general area …this is something I want to be better at.
This past year, I’ve been through the desert, at times I have been asleep at the bottom of the boat during the storms, and I have been on my knees because of who He is and how he has blessed me. I want to be intentional with my life and “open the eyes of my heart� wherever He takes me.
Craig,
What you said is very important, I remenber my first year at the seminary, I was working like 13 hours each day, thinking that I was doing good, but I didn´t read my Bible and pray. So I was working for God, but far away from God. Right now I feel God in every thing I do, It´s FANTASTIC.
What a great question to ask. I think many people, inside and outside the church, have seen what happens when you ignore why you do what you do. It happens every time someone gets burnt out in an organization, it always leads back to them forgetting why they were doing what they were doing to begin with. If you focus on the why, instead of letting the how take over, you’ll always have the motivation you need to move forward.
I need to get some more alone time, my daily time is not cutting it right now, probably because there is a lot more going out then coming in, between family, ministry, and life in general I’m feeling the squeeze.
Pray for me that I can put the breaks and really connect and fill up with the Lord because things are only going to get crazier in the next few weeks with the holidays and all.
Thanks for asking, how are you doing right now?
The past couple of years has been difficult for me personally. My wife and I have been going through infertility treatments, which have yet to prove fruitful. To say that it hasn’t affected me spiritually would be a lie. However, the past 3 to 6 months have been much, much better. Although there still has been heartache and pain, I have purposefully sought and pursued Him more and more. He has comforted me, He has given me hope, He has filled my heart so that I can minister to others, and He has shown His love through the timely cards, phone calls, and meals from others. Most of all He has shown that despite my cirumstances, He is still good.
Last night I challenged my LifeGroup to seek Him daily in His Word. Not a “clock-in, clock-out” legalistic to-do kinda thing, but an earnest attempt daily to draw near to God. We decided to start reading a chapter a day through the book of Psalms. For accountability, we decided to use YouVersion (www.youversion.com). Each of us will add our thoughts and/or video content to show that we had read it. I would like to invite all of you to join us in this journey too.
OUCH! And so early in the week. I have to do better soul care with my team.
Personally my time with God is probably at a two year high. Spending time daily with him is impacting my personal, family and church leadership. I love the accountability relationship I have with another pastor in the area that keeps me grounded in “keeping the main thing the main thing.”
Amen! I’m so glad you have brought this up. Our church lives by our volunteer leaders and the intense amount of work they do. I know I have been guilty of letting my service in the church substitute for time with God and suffered accordingly.
It’s easy as a leader to get so caught up with casting vision, being creative and innovative, and focusing on the daily minutia that you forget to check on the spiritual health of your team. I will add this to my list of things to focus on in the future.
Something’s brewing inside me. Not sure what it is. I’m not drained or spiritually bankrupt, but I’m not on top of the world either. I feel “pregnant” with expectation, hope…something. And if I’m being honest, it’s also laced with a little fear.
I’ll let you know when I’m on the other side. Or does that ever happen? :)
A few weeks ago, your talk about being a practical atheist really hit home. I am sure for so many of us, this has been the case.
I have been striving to have a friendship with God. So I take the best friendship in my life and compare those qualities to my friendship with God.
For example: I normally talk to this friend of mine a few times a day, not about anything important, just talk. No pressure communication. I feel as if I can be completely myself when I am around that friend, so I am striving to be that way in my walk with Christ!
I’m with Cindy. And I’ve heard comments like that from several others. Kind of like the early signs of labor where you know a lot of pain/excitement is on its way. Craig, you mentioned something in a recent weekend message about a four month rough season but didn’t elaborate.
Oswald Chambers (through his classic devotional “My Utmost for His Highest”) is who challenges me the most each day. Accepting that God doesn’t give a hoot about my personality, talents, efforts, busyness… but wants me completely broken and submitted to serving Him. More like serial suicide… my old man just doesn’t want to stay dead.
Though I am not on your staff, thanks for asking!
Hmmm…I’d say all is generally well with my soul. But, I know there is more available. It is the difference between making my relationship with Christ a daily priority and making it THE priority.
I remember a message Mike Breaux (Willow Creek) gave a few years ago during which he wondered if one of the reasons God directed Moses to remove his sandals was because God wanted to have “skin on skin” contact with Moses; He wanted nothing between Moses and the holy ground on which he stood.
That’s what I would love to feel each day…
I have a new hunger for His Word and His presence. Getting up earlier in the mornings to spend time with Him has not only given me more peace, but in a weird way, it has multiplied my time so that I can do more, with more fruit to show for it, at the end of the day…
Kevin - Although I don’t know you or the adversity you are going through, I would like to offer a word of encouragement to you. When Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were taken out of the furnace they didn’t even smell like smoke. When the Lord delivers you from this fire of adversity, know that your faith will be built and refined and you will not have a hint of this adversity clinging to you as the smell of smoke would and you will experience a freedom in Christ unparalleled to anything you’ve known.
One thing is certain, it shows when we aren’t spending quality time with God! We must get to know God’s heart, which we learn from reading the Word, and communicating with God. He will show us Himself in many ways. I learned so much of His love through having children. The beauty of this earth, and the skies above fill me to overflowing with my love for our Creator. The competitive heart of man is a beautiful thing, that I know God loves. He loves it when we do our very best at what we do. He loves it when we think of others, instead of ourselves. (That doesn’t mean not taking care of ourselves.) He loves to reveal Himself to us. He loves the good in us. We should strive for that.
FAITH is the ‘magic key’ God gave mankind! He said the “Faith of a mustard seed can move mountains!” And when Jesus came to a town without faith, “He did no miracles because they had no FAITH”. The FAITH is what makes us not worry about tomorrow, but trust God! We should all pray for God to use us however He will. If we do that, then God surely will use us, and as Ministers we will reach the masses. But first we must…”BE STILL AND KNOW THAT HE IS GOD.”
I think this is so true. Sometimes we even want to justify that we’ve spent time with God because we were at church all day even though we really haven’t spent time with him. I know for me I can be lazy about it and just justify it like that. Thanks for the encouragement.
The last three years have been tough. I have been caught up in a time of testing, and the pressure has been tough.
I spent several years being “busy” for God, and not spending time with Him…
I got tired, and burnt out… and was missing that intimacy.
I am spending more time with God, and less being “busy” trying to fit God into my agenda…
If I never accomplish anything for God, but spend time with Him, it is enough for me.
To answer that honestly, I would have to say I am doing terrible spiritually… but that drives me to Christ now.. when it used to drive me to get busy to do something for God to make me feel better…
Thanks for reminding me today, how much I depend on my time with Jesus…
Anyone have any good material suggestions on a daily devotional?
A man that was very influential in my spiritual life would always ask me a piercing question anytime he saw me. “What has God shown you this week?” or “What has God shown you today?” The “this week” and “today” is the great part of that question. It required that I re-count my recent time with God or admit I needed some.
I am a new father (6 week old baby boy!) I have always been told how much your whole world will be turned upside down and how you view God in a completely different way after becoming a father. You can’t understand it until it happens. One of the greatest joys in my life has taught me so much more about our “Heavenly Father,” and has completely changed the way I relate to Him!
There is also nothing greater than being a part of a church that is not only concerned about how you are leading others spiritually, but how you are being lead spiritually!
I’ve sort of led myself to a dry season. I’ve focused my learning on things about God and how to do things for God that I’ve kind of neglected God.
Please pray for me. The hunger is staring to burn again.
Something that has really changed in my life over the last year is the way I view the Sprit.
I am keenly aware that the Spirit of God lives in me and having that truth at the forefront of my mind has changed everything. I don’t feel condemnation, but conviction. I’m not living like a “sinner saved by grace”, but rather a “new creation.” I don’t look at myself based on who I used to be, but who I am. If He sits on the throne in me, then there is so much more to this life than what I think I can come up with.
I don’t carry guilt for not checking off the “read my Bible” box and prayed today box. Funny thing is, those are so natural now. I’m not tooting my horn, but His. One of the greatest things I am learning is the more I yeild to Him, the more I am filled with Him. And it is very good!
There have been a few books from a wise dead guy named Andrew Murray that have really taught me so much about the work of the Spirit.
“With Christ in the School of Prayer”
“Spiritual Authority” (may or may not agree with all of it)
“The Indwelling Sprit” (my favorite)
“Humility” (haven’t finished it…wonder why?)
I picked these up at Mardel.
Natalie…
Ohhh… “Humility” was a lifechanging book for me…all of those mentioned by Andrew Murray were great helps…
Great Post! I know with our staff we really strive to create an environment where the main thing is the main thing - which allows conversations about our walks with God and praises or pains to flow naturally. We not only meet for staff “meetings” but also just hang a few times a week at Starbucks, my living room, Buca or other fun spots.
As lead pastor, the transparency starts with me. In the past I served on a few staffs where they discouraged vulnerability or friendships in the church with the warning: “you will be betrayed or burned” - I did it anyways!! And yeah, I did get burned a few times but the benefits FAR out weighed the occassional frustration. And my team grew as a result. The saying is true, “we reproduce what we are, not what we say”…
I’m going to call a few of my staff right now just to say I love you and thank them for yesterdays ministry to others…
I heard Bill Hybels say in a sermon leaders from our church watched two fridays ago that a leader that was willing to die for the purpose was unstoppable. I also read in Rob Bell’s book Velvet Elvis last thursday that Jesus has faith in me! I have never been so alive in Christ, free and willing to die for a purpose than I am now. I am enjoying a relationship with Jesus that I did not know was possible. I have died of self a whole lot in the last 10 days and am prepared to crucify the rest when He is ready. I pray each day that He will use me up.
Again, a post that could not have been more timely. I have a good friend and leader who is struggling, and as his accountability partner, we can think of a million things to do or say, but who often do we just ask a simple question like this. Thank You!!
Honestly - and I assume you want an honest answer….I have no clue. One day I think I’m on the right track - moving good - the next day is a total derailment & with it comes total doubt . So, to be honest, I have no clue how I’m doing spiritually.
T
What you say is very true Craig. I never check on how my staff is doing spiritually. I just expect and assume they are doing great spiritually. I wish more people would check on me, I mean seriously, not just say how are you doing “good.” And end the conversation at that. We should be calling out ministers out of love.
I have learned as a worship leader that week in and week out of leading worship results in an empty spiritual tank…unless I am intentional about seeking God in prayer, study, and personal worship time. I have to have people who pray for me and hold me accountable about my relationship with Jesus. Doing ministry is NOT a substitute for a relationship with God!
Is. 64:6 All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
Thank you, Craig, for asking this very important question…I venture to say there is NOTHING we might do for our congregations that is so important that it is worth neglecting our own relationship with Christ.
i’m in the midst of something. tired of the systems i have in place and the steps i take to orchestrate a moment with God. (most of which involve a cup of coffee and a comfy chair) breaking myself out of those comfortable things that ‘feel good’ and forcing myself into moments that don’t ‘feel good’ but where i encounter Jesus. identifying a lot with Cindy B and Kendra. on the verge of something… just don’t know what that is yet.
One think that Chris Walker forgot to mention was that we not only attent Vineyard Community Church Cincinnati but we have also taken on to being kind of sermon Junkies. We are also a part of the Life Church Internet Campus. We think(this week will be only our 2nd meeting with them) that we have also found a place to do life with other Christ followers so that way we are not only challenging one another but have someone else to hold us accountable. I hope to have found people to be barefoot buddies and have refrig right with.
[...] (11-12-07) http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/11/12/things-i-want-to-know-about-my-staff-1-of-4/ [...]
I just found this on my husband’s pc…
Problem:
We long to love, be loved and belong
The world thunders the Christian “checklist�
Like storm chasers, we race after the thunder and the list
We miss the intimacy of the gentle whisper of our true Love
We trip past the true Love in God’s unchanging character
We find emptiness in the “list�
The result – insecurity and an “Identity Crisis�
Where’s our Identity?